Mariusz Borowski, a Stratford resident who works in Greenwich, catches a small fish he later kissed and released in the Mianus River on the Stamford and Greenwich border on Saturday, April 19, 2014, the opening day of trout season. less

Mariusz Borowski, a Stratford resident who works in Greenwich, catches a small fish he later kissed and released in the Mianus River on the Stamford and Greenwich border on Saturday, April 19, 2014, the opening ... more

For thousands of Connecticut residents, Saturday was the first day of spring -- though the traditional calendar may not agree.

It was the opening day of the 2014 trout season and the start of spring fishing, which made Saturday, for fishermen throughout the state, the start of spring.

"Opening day is a ritual," said George Miller, of Westport. "Me and my friends meet early, get coffee and go fishing. We've been doing it for years." Ike Dahl and Ben Smith nodded in agreement.

Everyone has their own reasons to fish. Some fish for the serenity and some for physical reasons. Charlie Clark, a Stamford school crossing guard was approaching the Mianus TMA about 8:30 a.m. with rod and reel in hand.

"I'm here for the fish and to keep my bones working," he said with a chuckle and a smile.

This year, the opening day of the trout fishing season marks the end of an almost nonstop battle with Mother Nature for the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Since early March, DEEP has been busy getting the state's rivers, streams, lakes and ponds stocked and ready despite the cold and icy winter.

Approximately 389,000 trout have already been released this spring into 100 lakes and ponds and 194 rivers and streams throughout Connecticut. DEEP's spring trout stocking effort began in early March and will continue through the end of May.

Ralph Castelli stopped by Pete's Place Bait and Tackle in Stamford to show off a 5.5-pound rainbow trout that he caught in the Norwalk River at Merwin Meadows. He was using nightcrawlers for bait.

At least four of the heavy broodstock fish were caught yesterday from various locations on the Norwalk River and Great Hollow Pond. The largest of the three was an 8-pound, 8-ounce rainbow trout caught by Orlando Giachetta of Norwalk. He weighed the fish at Fisherman's World in Norwalk. He caught the fish using a black Wooly Bugger.

Steve Pickering also weighed in a big trout at Fisherman's World. He caught a 6-pound, 6-ounce brown trout along with two smaller fish while fishing the Norwalk River in Ridgefield. Pickering was using a gold Phoebe Spoon.

Fishing at the Rippowam River along Studio Road and down to Cedar Heights Road in Stamford was Chris Buchanan and his father, George Buchanan of Shelton. Together they caught three trout, average 12 inches, using spinners for bait. Their plan was to fish at several other waters before calling it quits.

Up on the Mianus River TMA Mark Cameron caught a four-fish mix of brook and brown trout. The fish averaged 10 inches each and were taken with nightcrawlers.

Eric Stahl and his dad, Chip Stahl, also fished at the Mianus TMA. The elder Stahl had already left with two brown trout measuring 12- and 13-inches each. He left early to bring the fish home for dinner. Staying longer paid off for Eric. He caught three brown and two rainbow trout using spinners and trying various spots on the Mianus River.

Arriving at Pete's Place Bait and Tackle around 9 a.m. Saturday was Evan Roxburgh. He said he arrived from Orlando, Fla. just an hour earlier and though he was tired he still wanted to celebrate Opening Day by going fishing. He left Pete's Place with two dozen nightcrawlers.

Not everyone went trout fishing yesterday. Scott at Fish Tales Bait and Tackle in Stamford said that Gerard Flood caught a 16-inch winter flounder from shore at a secret spot along Stamford. The big flattie was taken using a sandworm for bait.

Not everyone caught fish on opening day. A young couple left the Mianus TMA with their heads down. When asked what the caught they said they didn't catch anything and kept on walking. But that's why it's called fishing and not catching.

Many trout fishing areas do have special regulations, including Trout Parks (which have a two trout per day creel limit), Trout Management Areas, Trophy Trout Streams, Sea-Run Trout Streams and Wild Trout Management Areas.

Consult the 2014 Connecticut Angler's Guide for detailed information on specific locations and angling regulations. Electronic versions of the 2014 guide can be found on the DEEP website (www.ct.gov/deep/anglersguide). Print versions of the 2014 Angler's Guide are available at more than 350 locations statewide, including town halls, bait and tackle shops, DEEP facilities and commercial marinas and campgrounds.

Anglers can purchase their 2014 fishing licenses online or at one of the many participating town halls, tackle retailers and DEEP offices. For a complete list of vendors, visit the DEEP website (www.ct.gov/deep/fishing) or call DEEP Licensing and Revenue (860-424-3105).